Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Just by way of response – we do not want to debate back and forth – I understand the point Deputy Ó Broin is making. In the course of this session, I will give members the up-to-date resources figures. We had them before at a previous stage but within this as well.

It is telling that An Bord Pleanála, even with all the difficulties it had that we stabilised and rectified in the main, is still seen as an attractive job for people in the planning profession because it sits at the apex of our planning system, and that is a good thing. If someone looked back 18, 20 or 24 months ago to see whether it was, at that stage, a desirable place for people to work, many may have had a different view. This is certain from meeting new staff on the board, some of whom come from local authorities and others come from private practice. There is a good mix of that within An Bord Pleanála. It is good that it is still seen as a career advancement and as a desirable place to work now, even after all the difficulties we have managed to come through there.

During the course of this session, for the information of members, I will give them an idea of resources we have approved and what is filled.